Sufficient English proficiency can be demonstrated by submitting one of the following:

Official transcripts from an accredited U.S. college or university showing successful completion of coursework including a college-level writing course (not ESOL).

Official records from a foreign high school or higher education institution where English is the primary language of instruction may indicate English proficiency.

Minimum scores on approved ESOL tests for admission into the Intensive English Program: TOEFL paper 347, TOEFL CBT 63, TOEFL IBT 19; TOEIC 255; or IELTS 3. Upon arrival, individuals will be assessed for placement into the intensive English program.

Students who have recently taken approved college assessment tests (SAT, ACT) may be exempt from part or all placement tests. See chart below.

Test scores are valid for 2 years.

Chart A (TSI Complete/Exempt)

Minimum Score and Course Requirements

Reading

Writing

Math

SAT*

1070 combined with 500 Verbal/Critical Reading

1070 combined with 500 Math

ACT*

23 composite with 19 English

23 composite with 19 Math

11 Grade TAKS**

2200 with 3 on essay

2200

TAAS***

89 Reading

1770 Writing

86 Texas Learning Index (TLI)

STAAR****

English III: Level II: 2000 (Reading) and 2000 (Writing)

Algebra II: Level II 4000+

*SAT and ACT: the combined score with the specified minimum scores above shall be exempt for those corresponding sections.

**TAKS: a minimum scale score of 2200 on the math section and/or a minimum scale score of 2200 on the English Language Arts section with a writing subsection score of at least 3, shall be exempt from the assessment required under this title for those corresponding sections.

*** TAAS: a minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing test, a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test shall be exempt from the assessment required for those corresponding sections.

****STAAR end-of-course (EOC) with a minimum score of Level 2 on the English III shall be exempt from the TSI Assessment for both reading and writing, and a minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the TSI Assessment for the mathematics section.

SAT, ACT, STAAR, TAKS and TSI exemptions are valid for 5 years if the student has enrolled in an institution of higher education during that time period (does not have to be just LSCS); TAAS scores are valid for 3 years if the student has enrolled in an institution of higher education during that time period (does not have to be just LSCS).